Prince Thomas Abi Jr|22 February 2016|5:58pm
Cross River State is known for her rich culture. The State is known for her serenity and tourism potential. The state is a paradise and a destination for many tourist who come to the State for relaxation. And so, We must not shy from our responsibility of giving our visitors and citizens the best services at all times.
The State was believed to be a haven but in recent times it is a shadow of itself. In Calabar, it is visibly seen that taxi drivers carry four behind and two persons in front. The taxi scheme is a total mess. This is as a result of poor check mating by relevant authorities charged with the responsibility of regulating taxi drivers from perpetrating their dubious activities.
Getting down to my actual discourse, Cross River State is a State with three Senatorial districts but it is very unfortunate that the Southern Senatorial district is the only region in the State with a taxi service and the service is a mess with ricketty, dirty and smoky vehicles polluting and disturbing the peace of the good people of Cross River State.
As a tourism destination, it is only natural that we duplicate taxi service in major towns of Ogoja, Ugep, Ikom, Obudu and also introduce new and modest taxis in Calabar the State capital.
It has become very important we duplicate taxis in major towns in the State. A healthy transport system contributes favorably to the economy. Cross River State as a tourism destination should be thinking in the direction of providing a safe means of transportation for her people and visitors who come into the State. In develop nations, taxis substitute private vehicles. And looking at the bad nature of the Calabar-Ikom-Ogoja road most travelers do not like traveling with their vehicles. And so, if the State has a taxi service, it would go a long way in solving the problem of transportation in these areas.
Most of our tourist who go to the Obudu Leisure Resort do not have a means of transportation due to the fact that we do not have a taxi service running in those areas. Making life very difficult for people who wish to visit the resort. Also, the lack of a transport system has discouraged many persons who do not have private cars from going to the Ranch, by so doing putting the State at a loss financially.
A State like Cross River where her citizens are predominantly farmers , there is the need to introduce taxis in major cities in the Northern and Central Senatorial districts. It will go a long way in easing the problem of our people especially as we approach the rainy season. Civil servants, the residents , students, visitors and other members of the people will worry less once the taxi service is introduced.
In setting up the taxi service, I will advice that the government of Cross River State buys made in Nigeria vehicles in order to grow the naira. The Innoson motors are very efficient, strong, and are very economical in terms of fuel consumption and the parts can easily be affordable and accessible since there are made in Nigeria.
There is no need traveling to Asia and Europe to import these vehicles considering the rise in the dollar against the naira and also it will be affordable since there will be no point importing them contributing positively to the drivers who will drive them and the third party who decides to use the taxi as a means of transportation.
In setting up the taxi service, there is the need to carry out a proper needs assessment of the scheme before implementing it. If properly implemented, it will go a long way in improving the economic fortunes of our young people who will drive the taxis.
The Commissioner of Transport, Hon Savior Nyong must work out a plan on ways on how the taxi scheme can be introduced by working out a good template to see to the fact that the taxis are subsidized and affordable for the drivers and also for road users.
Implementing the scheme, the taxis should be given to people with safe driving skills and persons who are conversant with the region.
It is my prayer that the government of Governor Ben Ayade through the Ministry of Transport will devise a means to reduce the sufferings of commuters by introducing the taxi service in major towns of Cross River North and Central Senatorial districts of the State.
Prince Thomas Abi Jr.
Is a Public Affairs Analyst /Social Commentator
